Consumer Reports only got 36 mpg on their Civic Hybrid during tests. I wonder how they got this low number? Even before I started following the tips for getting max mpg, I was getting mid forties at worst.

probably using an automatic and not having the econo mode button selected Or was using the A/C or heater in non auto mode.

Two notes:

I bought my manual tranny 2004 HCH "used" with 4823 miles on it. The "Trip B" meter is at the same miles as the overall odometer, so I know for sure that the Trip B MPG number is the "lifetime MPG" for the car.

It was sitting at a pitiful 34.4 MPG.

I have no idea what the car was used for in the first 4823 miles. I have since raised it to 40.1 over the first 4700 miles I have put on the car.

Note #2:

A consultant at my company this week rented a 2003 CVT HCH. His MPG after about 80 miles is EXACTLY 34.4 in all city driving.

Seems like if you just "drive an HCH like any other car" the range you will get is probably in the 32-36 MPG range.

It requires efficient driving techniques to get 45+ MPG.

My average calculated MPG is 45.41 through 30K miles.... My previous nine tanks were all about the EPA average.

Tire pressure should be at least 38 PSI.

really depends on what kind of driving and temps as well - if it's cold out, and you're running the heat alot - even with econo pushed, the auto stop doesn't function as often. city/local driving is killer (as most of mine is) because of all the stops and then acceleration- even mild acceleration draws the battery down, and without highway or long down grades to recharge, it's going to charge as you drive, further reducing mpg.

and if the tires came factory at 30psi.....

admitedly I have a short sample (owned the car for 3 weeks) but my first week was horrible- and I'm not a hotrodder. 30 psi in tires, and cold out; mid 20s. I was getting 35mpg. bumped the tires up to 40psi, mileage went up to 38-39. 95% of my driving is just local around the neighborhood - I was really struggling to get above 40mpg. So I can definitly see average or "normal" driving getting only 35mpg.

started my second tank with a 120 mile highway trip and average of 47mpg. now I'm maintaining 46.6mpg so-far around town. moderate acceleration to speed, and coast whenever I can, neutral down hills (CVT) when I'm charged. I'm dying to be a hypermiler - but I don't know how to get there.

Regarding the CR average of 36mpg: I noticed that they rate the regular Civic at 29mpg, and the EPA averages are 32-38. So it seems like in general, whatever CR does, it results in mpg's below the EPA for other cars as well.

As a benchmark, a 20% difference between the two models (29 versus 36) is not off by that much. Popular Mechanics drove both cars across country and got a 24% mpg difference. The EPA combined averages of 47 (hybrid) versus 35 (non-hybrid) is about 25.5%.

My personal experience is way higher than the CR value, in my HCH CVT: currently 45 city, 50 highway, using 'normal' driving techniques. But I'm just saying that whatever paces CR puts the cars through, it seems to have a negative effect on mpg for all cars, not just hybrids.

CR gets incredibly bad gas mileage for ALL the cars they test. They used to have that info posted for free on their website, but now it seems like almost every part of their website requires a pay membership. At any rate, cars like the Prius and Civic Hybrid are among their top gas mileage cars. They get things like 18mpg for the Accord and 9mpg for trucks and SUV's they test. Their gas mileage tests seem to be like a worst possible scenario, and not very reflective of what real owners achieve.

I just have to say that I was getting 34mpg or so in the winter before I over inflated my tires. I drive 22 miles 45 minutes each way, every day to work and back with about 12-20 lights in between. By the time I get up to about 35 or 40 mpg I have to break for the next light. There is no real way to time the lights because I either have to accelerate very fast to get through the light or drive slower than 20mpg. They may be driving a similar route.

Perhaps that creates more of the image angle they want.

Scandal.

Got to justify their existence.

Consumer Reports listed their overall mileage at 36. BUT on their web page they also state their city average was 26 and highway 45. In addition, they report 44 on their standard 150 mile trip. This is with the CVT. Seems like the problem is with their city mileage.

Incidentally, I looked at a new car buying guide from Consumers Guide (entirely different than Consumer Reports) at the newstand and they report experiencing 38 for the CVT and 46 for the MT.

36 is pretty low. The lowest reading I had on any trip meter on my 2003 HCH was 37.7, given the following:

1) A lot of my trips were relatively short, and I live on top of a high, steep hill
2) My tires were pretty deflated at the time
3) I also was driving fast on the freeway (around 75)

I don't however use the AC very much, and I've seen many peopel just run with it on constantly, doing that could definitely lead to 36MPG. When I pack things away in the car like groceries I'll roll all the windows down so the car can cool down, then roll them back up before starting up and going. If the car starts to get hot in the car while driving, I'll run the AC in short bursts to kill the heat.

Yes, absolutely. 36 MPG on the Civic Hybrid is pretty hard to do. Out of 78 currently in the database, there are only two at 36 MPG, and that's as low as it goes.

There are three that I see and I think one of them is mine.

BTW, my current tank is reading 49.2 right now. So I suspect next tank my average will have jumped up a tad. Leaving 76 out of 78 HCH drivers getting better than 36 mpg

I looked at the tank data for those averaging below 40mpg. Very few tanks were 36mpg or below. I think I had the most. I might note however I tend to use remote start a few times in the winter.

I run AC at about 72 when necessary. When driving on city streets I might just roll the windows down if the noise/pollution level is not too bad. Usually that fresh air is way better than what you get through the circulation system anyway.

I see maybe a 2-3 mpg hit when running it, but the killer is the lack of autostop. That leads to idling, which seems to hit you by about 20%.

Apparently in the HCH the A/C is powered by the main engine. With a hybrid battery sitting there it could just be electrically powered. Hopefully that is what they will do with the 2006.

Ah, how it keeps improving! We live in an exciting era of automobile innovation.

I think when you run the ac if you have the fan on some speed other than auto then you will still get circulation and the auto-stop function still works. The only draw back is the air isn't as cool as if the compressor was running but it will be cool enough to get you through the time you are stopped at a light

Re: Consumer Reports - only 36mpg?
 

You know, I almost didn't buy this car because of that 36 mpg rating in Consumer Reports. I just assumed the lazy dudes over there just drove a normal Civic and then wrote up one piece for the hybrid. My car gets 45.7 mpg on average...I don't do anything special. When I feel like thinking about it, I'll do some of the old tricks. Since it is finally above freezin, my car moved into the 48 zone. Now I'm at 50.3 mpg. I don't know what I'm doing that would be different from others. I use the air conditioner all the time too.

Re: Consumer Reports - only 36mpg?
 

That's what misinformation does! It changes the public's view regardless of fact. Unfortunate. All the more reason to educate!

Re: Consumer Reports - only 36mpg?
 

When I bought my car, everyone was telling me all these stories about how Honda and the hybrid car market are a part of the great socialist conspiracy to overthrow the American Government and impregnant our women. Although I only partially agree with that, these people also tell me that the hybrid car is a scam. I don't know. I think disinformation is rampant, but I get great mileage. I love my car. I bought my car for the low emissions anyway, not for the mileage. It may just be a small token to make me feel less guilty for guttin' the earth, but it's all I have — outside of taking the initiative to walk, run or ride a bike, God forbid. haha.

Re: Consumer Reports - only 36mpg?
 

I've had my HCH for a week and was disappointed in my gas mileage in my first tank (38.6 mpg) but then I found this site and am driving slower and such and my second tank average was 42.7 mpg and currently in my third tank I am at 47.2 mpg!!! I keep on telling anyone and everyone about it and am so excited about it. I think they think I'm a little crazy. But now I think they are all crazy, those that could care less about their fuel efficiency.

Re: Consumer Reports - only 36mpg?
 

That is how it starts. The next thing you know, your friends and family are holding a "mileage intervention" to stop the madness. I've had mine since January and my mileage keeps increasing and let everyone know. I mean, it has gotten to the point of becoming socially dehabilitating. I talk too much about my mileage. And you will too. Be prepared, 'cause loved ones and complete strangers on the street trying to mind their own **** business won't understand.

Re: Consumer Reports - only 36mpg?
 

I'm getting 42 mpg w/ less than 200 miles on the car. One problem is that I won't let the wife drive it till she understands how to keep the MPG's up there where I am at now.... :)

I'll be adding some air to my tires this weekend to get that 42 even higher!! (not an absurd amount, maybe just 5-6 pounds)